The United States charges developers in the LockBit group fees, which are paid in cryptocurrencies

The US Department of Justice has charged Rostislav Banev, a Russian and Israeli citizen, for his alleged involvement with the LockBit Ransomware group.

Banev, 51, accused From working as a developer for the group, he earned more than $230,000 in cryptocurrencies for his contributions. Banev was arrested in Israel last August, and is currently awaiting extradition to the United States to face charges.

LockBit is a notorious ransomware group Known for targeting It is known to target entities around the world, including major corporations such as Boeing, financial institutions such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and government services such as the UK’s Royal Mail. According to To Bloomberg.

Ransomware attacks typically involve encrypting victims’ data and demanding payments in cryptocurrency to regain access.

Telegram communications and encryption

Banev reportedly communicated with LockBit members using the encrypted messaging app cableis widely preferred in cybercrime circles due to its privacy features. Telegram is often used in the world of cybercrime for its privacy features. According to his defense attorney, Sharon Nahari, Banev was a software developer and was not aware of the malicious intentions behind the tools he created.

Banev reportedly cooperated with law enforcement authorities and provided information about his activities.

Authorities allege his work included developing malware to disable antivirus systems, spreading ransomware, and printing ransom notes across affected networks.

The payments to Panev were allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency mixing services, a common tactic in ransomware operations to hide transaction trails.

Since its appearance in 2019, LockBit has caused billions of dollars in damage globally. The group extorted at least $500 million from more than 2,500 victims in 120 countries. Its operations rely on developers like Panev to create malware and affiliates to carry out attacks.

In February, authorities in the US and UK disabled LockBit’s infrastructure, confiscating websites, servers and decryption keys, significantly hampering the group’s activities. Despite these efforts, LockBit remains active, and Banev’s arrest represents the latest step in ongoing prosecution efforts.

LockBit’s alleged leader, Dmitry Khoroshev, remains at large. The US government offered a reward of $10 million to anyone who provides information leading to his arrest.